0
Europeans saw Africa as a rich source of raw materials to use in industry and as a market for European products of industry. Also, it was felt that having a colonial empire at this time was part of being a European power, in order to be able to compete. Furthermore, some Europeans felt that they were superior to Africans and were therefore justified in conquering what they thought were the "backward" peoples of Africa.
This position persisted as late as 1974 in Portugal, when the government was peacefully removed. This followed years of fighting to maintain its African territory.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoSouth Africa was colonised for a number of reasons. Firstly, South Africa was located at the southernmost tip of the African continent and bordered on three sides by seas, which was an important location for the European sailors to restock their supplies of food and rest, so the Europeans wanted to control South Africa to enforce its grip on trade routes to India and Asia.
Secondly, Since South Africa was a territory large in size and rich in minerals including diamonds and gold, it attracted ambitious countries to rule this land to seize the Natural Resources.
Moreover, South Africa was not a powerful country. The native people had no advanced weapons, armies and ability to defend their territory, encouraging powerful nations to take over this land.
MT P
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe Dutch colonised the Cape to establish a way-station on their route to the lucrative trade in India. The Suez Canal did not exist at that time so the only way to India by ship was around the Cape. It was a very long journey and there was a need for a re-supply point where fresh vegetables, meat and administration could be supplied. The United East India Company (VOC in Dutch) vegetable gardens are now a pleasant park in central Cape Town
The British later captured the Cape and colonised it to maintain supremacy over strategic shipping routes, including the India trade.
The Cape was not attractive as a trading station or point of economic exploitation of Africa unitl the discovery of diamonds around Hopetown and gold at the Witwatersrand in the 19th century.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoInitially because they wanted a base to re-supply their ships to and from Far East. Later for all the mineral wealth that Africa had (and mostly didn't know about)
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why was South Africa an oligarchy during the Apartheid?
the Europeans thought they had power so they test there toughness on the Africans:)
Why is there a huge white population in South Africa?
Because a lot of Europeans migrated there years and years ago, settled and became successful.
Which colonizing country settled throughout South America and what became the southwestern United states?
Spain
What was issued to prevent foreign countries from colonizing in north and south America?
The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
Who are the colonial master of South Africa?
South Africa is the south-most country in Africa. The colonial masters of South Africa were the British who colonized the area in 1795.
What change allowed Europeans to travel further into Africa and begin colonization in the mid 1800s?
The discoveries of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 in South Africa increased Europeans interest in colonizing the continent
Is South Africa a colonizing country?
Yes, Briton
Who were the first Europeans to establish a regime in Africa South of the Sahara?
The 1st Europeans to establish a regime, in Africa south of the Sahara, were the English. England established a regime in South Africa.
How many Europeans live in Africa?
Approximately 5.5 million , 5million are in the south Africa '))
Who were the first Europeans in South Africa?
The very first was the Portuguese.
Did Europeans settle in south Africa?
Yes. Mainly the German/Dutch and the British.
Why did the Europeans colonised South Africa?
to find / rule new land
What natural resources drew europeans to south africa?
Mostly diamonds.
What is the policy of the Africa which separates white europeans from black afriacans?
This was called apartheid. It existed in South Africa until about 1990.
With regard to exports what sort of individuals and organisations would be interested in South Africa's ranking on the international competitiveness scale?
what sort of individuals and/or organisations would be interested in South Africa's ranking on the international competitiveness scale
A major impediment to Europeans settling the areas north of what is now South Africa was?
the tsetse fly
Which europeans did the zulus in south Africa fight in attempt to keep their land?
Both the British and the Dutch.
